Glens Hold Regimental Reunion

Since 1948, the SD&G Highlanders have been holding an annual reunion. June 7, 2013, veterans of the Glens and members of the Regimental family made a special excursion to sites along the St. Lawrence where significant battles of the War of 1812 took place. The Glens have been awarded three 1812-15 battle honours. Here 56 reunion guests visit the battle of Iroquois Point. WWII veteran, Major William Whiteacre, awarded a 1945 Military Medal, studies battle plans at Crysler’s Farm Memorial at Upper Canada Village.

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The third annual Carkinator Car and Moto Rally, that was held Saturday, July 6, raised $47,289 for the Winchester District Memorial Hospital Foundation.

The money goes into the undesignated fund, which supports the ongoing needs of the hospital in a range of departments.

The Rally is named for NHL defenseman, Matt Carkner, and began as a fun event to bring together hockey fans and car enthusiasts to fund raise for the WDMH Foundation.

Twenty-nine teams, with 110 participants travelled the car rally route designed by Keith and Linda Robinson of Morrisburg. It took them to pit stoops in Metcalfe, Marvelville, Morewood and Winchester. Pit stop challenges included hockey-themed activities.

NHL-ers participating in the event included Matt Carkner of the NY Islanders, Chris Neil of the Ottawa Senators, Terry Carkner, former Philadelphia Flyer, Bryan Helmer, former Washington Capital and Shean Donovan, former Ottawa Senator.

On average, rally teams raised $1,140, which is up over last year’s average.

The team called “Driving Miss Daisies” won the prize $2,500 prize of a 400 level box at an Ottawa Senators home game, complete with limo service and dinner.

Diane Crummy won the prize for highest individual fund raiser, which gave her a $3,000 trip for two to Long Island to see the Islanders at home. The prize includes airfare, accommodations, meals, a post game tour of the locker room and $500 spending money.

Other winners included: Bob Carkner, who won the second highest individual fundraising prize of a $500 pressure washer from Canadian Tire in Morrisburg; “St. Daniel’s Holy Rollers” for the best rally quiz score; “St. Paul’s Angels” for the closest time; the “M & D Lions” won closest mileage; “Now We Are Three” won the pit stop challenges; Team “A to Z” won the top motorcycle team; and Kary Carkner’s team, the “Island Falconators” won the best poker hand.

Matt thanked everyone for all of their hard work raising funds and participating, “we can’t thank everyone enough for being part of this great day. I’m honoured to lead this fundraising event for the WDMH Foundation, joined by my fellow NHL-ers Bryan, Terry, Shean and Chris. I’m also touched that even though I don’t play for the home team anymore, you have all come out to cheer me on at this event through your participation, so thank you.”

Under cold and wet skies, the Prime Minister of Canada, Stephen Harper, arrived at the Memorial to the Battle of Crysler’s Farm, at Upper Canada Village, on Monday afternoon, November 11, 2013.

Greeted by nearly 700 school children and many local people and dignitaries, the prime minister was in Morrisburg to honour the 200th anniversary of the Battle.

The defeat of US General Wilkinson’s army at Morrisburg in 1813 is widely celebrated as the “battle which saved Canada.”

Joining in the commemoration were 100 members of the Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry Highlanders under the command of their Commanding Officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Rob Duda.

Representatives of historic 1812 regiments, the First Nations peoples, the Voltigeurs de Quebec and the Royal 22nd Regiment (the Van Doos), also participated in the ceremonial laying of wreaths to honour those who fell 200 years ago in the defence of our nation.

The Prime Minister used this historical occasion to announce that the Glens regiment has just received an additional honour.

“Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth 11, Queen of Canada, has graciously consented to serve as the first Colonel-in-Chief of the Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry Highlanders.”

In his address to the crowd, the prime minister praised all members of the armed forces for their courage and dedication to Canada.

He drew attention to the events of two centuries ago, and their significance in the history of our country.

“Today the Americans are our great friends and allies. But 200 years ago, Canadians stood here against an invasion from the United States…Although outnumbered three to one, Crysler’s Farm Battle was a decisive victory for our forces. This proved again that it is not the size of the army in the fight, but the size of the fight in the army which makes the final difference…And today, it is part of what makes Canada the best country in the world.”

On September 24, the South Dundas Community Playground will be built by volunteers.

On the same day, a very special memorial will also be unveiled at the site.

At the entrance to the playground, the South Dundas Community Playground Committee will place a commemorative plaque, dedicating this new park to the Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry Highlanders, the “Glens.”

The plaque, donated by Prescott Memorials, reads: May our youth strive to protect our freedoms using the example of past generations whose traditions are carried on today by the Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry Highlanders to whom this playground is dedicated this 24th day of September 2011.

Matt McCooeye, chair of the Playground committee, said that members had been looking for a group of people or local person to whom to dedicate the new park.

“Our criteria was we wanted that group or person to possess characteristics that we would want our kids to possess.”

At least two individuals, not on the committee, suggested the Glens to them.

“Rosemary Laurin and I decided to learn more,” McCooeye said. “About four weeks ago we contacted the Cornwall Armory and did some reading. We were also told to get in touch with Bill Shearing. I’ve lived in this community all my life and I found I didn’t know enough about the Highlanders and the sacrifices they made for us. Our playground is located on the very ground the Glens protected 200 years ago.”

As the committee linked the idea of protecting Canada’s freedoms to the children of today, the dedication to the Highlanders seemed the “perfect match.”

On September 6, the committee officially adopted the dedication to the Glens.

Bill Shearing, former honourary colonel of the SD&G Highlanders, said that he may have been the last to know about the committee’s plans, but “I think it’s great.”

He was able to share stories about many local people who have served in, or been involved with, the Highlanders through both Wars, and going right back to 1812. Many young men and women from the South Dundas community currently serve in the forces.

“We want to remember the people of the past, and look to those who will serve in the future,” McCooeye said. “No other group or person really fit the philosophy and outlook of our community like the SD&G Highlanders.”

McCooeye reported that 175 volunteers have officially signed up to help September 24 and he expects more may just “show up.”

“We have surpassed $115,000 in our fund raising,” McCooeye said. “The not-for-profit group Let Them Be Kids has matched us in purchasing power for everything in the park. They have also provided us with a blue print for making Saturday’s construction run smoothly.”

The official Playground opening ceremony will take place at the park at 2 p.m. on Saturday. Attending will be Bob Brooks, honourary lieutenant-colonel of the SD&G Highlanders and former and current members of the militia.

“Our opening and dedication ceremony is to thank the community for an incredible amount of support over these last three months,” Matt McCooeye said. “We will especially thank certain key people at our ceremony.

However, there will be no traditional ribbon cutting. Instead, all the kids of our community will ‘run through’ the ribbons opening their park. After all, children raised $6,500 themselves for the park and selected the play structures.”

McCooeye invites everyone to link up to www.ltbk.ca on Saturday, September 24, beginning at 8 a.m. to follow the construction and opening of the South Dundas Community Playground live all day long.